Froome sparked a late surge from the pack along with Uran, Barguil and Alberto Contador, who put in a strong showing in one of his final races after recently announcing his retirement.

The Shanghai race was staged for the first time as part of the Tour de France’s efforts to boost its brand in China, a country often called the “kingdom of bicycles”.

The race involved 20 laps around a 3-kilometre (1.9-mile) street circuit, and was organised by ASO, the same company that holds the Tour de France.

Bicycles have long been the workhorse of urban transport for China’s masses, but recreational cycling also is on the rise as incomes and leisure pursuits increase.

The contest was held amid murky skies, however, with pollution readings in the “unhealthy” range.

China’s notoriously smoggy skies are among factors blamed for slowing development of cycling and other outdoor pursuits.

“Cycling at the moment is a very European-dominated sport so it’s great to bring cycling out to these places that don’t get to experience what Europeans get to experience on their doorstep,” Froome said.

“So it’s great for the globalisation of cycling and of sports in general.”